Former Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is widely expected to be the first non-quarterback taken off the board during the first round of the NFL Draft held on Thursday, with many mock drafts having him going as high as No. 4 to the Arizona Cardinals.
But for the 2023 Biletnikoff Award winner and Heisman Trophy finalist, it doesn’t matter what pick he hears his name called by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or who he is drafted ahead of. Instead, he is ready to put the months-long draft process behind him and get to work for whatever NFL team selects him.
“I mean, it’d be nice,” Harrison told USAToday’s Chris Bumbaca when asked if he feels pride in being the first wide receiver taken. “ I honestly don’t care about it too much. (I’m) really just more focused on going to the right situation for me, that’s going to help me be the best player I can be these first four years in the NFL. Whether that’s first receiver off the board, third, fifth, whatever that may be, I’ll just be happy that I’m getting drafted. And then like I said, just to do my best.”
Harrison, who is widely considered one of the greatest pass-catchers in Ohio State history after hauling in 155 receptions for 2,613 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns across his three-year Buckeye career, admitted that he did not like the uncertainty that comes with being a high-profile first-round draft prospect, where he and many other prospects are picked to go to different franchises in numerous different mock drafts throughout the offseason.
Regardless of these uneasy feelings, Harrison said he is ultimately looking forward to finding out where he will begin his NFL career on Thursday night, and will be ready to give his best efforts as a professional for whatever team selects him.
“I’m feeling good,” he said. “Definitely super excited to figure out where I’m going. That’s definitely the biggest thing – you don’t know where you’re going to go. So just excited to get that process over with (and) get ready to work when I get there.”
If Harrison is selected by the Cardinals, he will reunite with former Buckeye teammate and offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr., who was selected by the franchise with the sixth overall pick in the first round of last year’s draft, and will catch passes from two-time NFL Pro Bowler and 2019 AP NFL Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray. But no matter what team selects him, the two-time All-American wideout said he is ready to help his team win in any way possible by playing at a high level as soon as he steps onto the field.
“(I’m excited to) Just produce,” he said. (To) produce at a high level. (To) do my best to help the team win and reach their goals. Every team wants to win the Super Bowl. I’m going to do my best to do that.”
The 2024 NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. and air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and NFL Network.
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